First Day of Preschool

Adelyn started a preschool program at a local church this year.  I can't believe how big she is!  Before I know it, it'll be kindergarten, then high school, and then, oh my goodness, college... but wait, I'm getting ahead of myself!  She is still my baby girl for now :-)

She was very excited about starting school.  Her teachers sent her a postcard in the mail the week before school started, and she carried it all around the house with her for days, talking about Mrs. Brandye and Mrs. Trish.  I realized it's really the first time she's been aware of receiving real mail.

Here she is on the Meet the Teacher night...

Here are her teachers...Mrs. Brandye

and Mrs. Trish!

And here she is on the morning of the First Day of School...

Yes, I realize the backpack is bigger than she is, and yes, I realize they make toddler-sized backpacks, but you should see the list of what all has to go in that backpack (nap mat, lunchbox, change of clothes, diapers, wipes, etc...) - it was easier to get her a regular backpack and then just carry it for her!

She asks to wear dresses - so on many days, she does!  I'm not complaining since I know many girls don't want to wear them...and she is so cute!

This one is my favorite - she is looking more and more like a little girl... This picture really captures her joie de vivre

So far, school has been a great success.  She doesn't look back when we drop her off, and she loves all the different activities during the day.  Her favorite times are music time and chapel.  Last Thursday, she was "Chapel Champion" - and she was so so proud.  She talked about it for a long time afterward.  This week, she apparently announced at 9:25AM that is was time for music (music starts at 9:30)!  Her teachers thought that was amazing! She knows the names of most of her classmates even after just a few weeks.  She does not nap during naptime (no surprise there!), but at least most days she rests and is quiet, so she gets a stamp on her hand.  We get a "toddlergram" each day telling us how she did.  It is so amazing to watch her thrive and grow, literally by the week!  I love you my big girl!

September

September has been a busy month in the Hughes household.  I cannot believe it's almost over.  With October comes the promise of more "fall" weather too, which I will welcome with open arms.  We have had a taste of it several days this month, and at least the triple digits are finally not the norm (although I saw 100 degrees on the forecast for tomorrow!??? Crazy!!!)

Here are the four junior members of the household... you have to look harder to spot Lucy - she is so black, all you see are her eyes! We have been involving the kids more in the kitchen with cooking and food preparation so they can start learning healthy habits at a very young age.

Adelyn has been growing and changing right before our eyes.  She has so much personality, and for a two-year-old, I think she's amazing!  She is so full of joy!

We have been reading a lot of books...

So many that she has taken to reading the New Yorker!  See, she's even taking notes with her pen! 

Ha-ha!

Going along with our efforts to teach the kids about food, we are starting to teach Addy about cooking.  Here she is during her first cooking time with Daddy - they are making yummy homemade chocolate ice cream.

We visited Mimi and T-Pa over Labor Day weekend to celebrate Brent and Jim's birthday.  Adelyn and Harper loved playing in the backyard.  She and Harper had lots of fun playtime this month...

This big purple exercise ball was a big hit!

Addy played so hard, her cheeks turned bright red...

Harper taught Addy how to play Ring around the Rosy, and this is the "we all fall down"!

The girls had a slumber party one evening.  Thanks Brent and Erika for babysitting so we could go out!

Aren't they the cutest?

Harper and Erika came to visit while Brent and Brian went to Austin for Austin City Limits.

Not to leave Holton out, he watches everything his big sister does very closely and just grins and grins!

Out for a walk with Aunt Erika while I was at work.  They brought all the stuffed animals with them...

Playing with stickers on the kitchen window...

The Little Man is eating so well these days - he can't get enough of solid food!  I don't know where he packs it away - he's hardly got any meat on his bones, but we are working on it!  We added yogurt this month, and it turns out that he will eat any veggie mixed in with yogurt (or mixed in with fruit, for that matter).

He's not crawling yet (we're at that perfect age where he can entertain himself for awhile but can't get into too much trouble yet).  He can push backwards on his tummy and turn around 360 degrees.  He can also roll to get something out of reach.

Addy is thrilled that it's football season (and so are we!)... it's been fun to see her grow and change from last year.  Now she watches the plays and gets very concerned when the players fall down.  She says, "he fell down, but he didn't get hurt".  She says "go, go, go!", and new this year: "Go Tony Romo!"  No matter that she thinks that any football player is Tony Romo - it's still cute! And she also will say "Ooohh nooooo" when a play doesn't go well.

Addy is really sweet with Holton.  Our biggest issue right now is that she likes to take toys away from him.  But we've actually been able to get her to give things back to him or bring him new toys.  She loves to kiss and hug him and try to make him laugh.

Finally, the pups are doing well and loving getting some walks and more outdoor time now that it's not so insanely hot!

Me and my happy boy - what a blessing he is!

First day of preschool pictures and Holton's 8 month birthday are up next!

Siblings

I am working on a September photo update...

However, I just wanted to post these two photos.  These two almost look like twins!  There's no question they are siblings...

If it wasn't for Adelyn having more hair, I would have a hard time telling the two of them apart from these pictures!